40 Years Removed.

Hi There!

I would be remiss if I didn't give a little love to an event that happened on this day in 1971. For so long there was the stigma that would not go away from Tom Landry or the Dallas Cowboys. An inability to win the Big One. The two losses in heartbreaking fashion to the Packers in 1966 and 1967. That final second loss to the Colts in Super Bowl VI. All of these incidents would be cause for consternation to the fan of the Silver and Blue. 

Until this day in 1972.

Mind you (for the 1971 season) the 1st seven weeks of the season a platoon system Tom Landry oversaw was being used with Roger Staubach. A 4-3 mark and a decision to make. Roger got the nod the rest of the way. The Cowboys would not lose again culminating with a convincing 24-3 pounding of the Miami Dolphins in Louisiana on that day. 

Old timers still see the vision of Tom Landry getting hoisted onto the shoulders of linemen with a huge grin on his face. I remember John Niland talking about the sense of relief men like himself and Joe Liscio had for the coach. Dallas finally won the big one. There were more to come.

Don't ask me why I went with this hunch over the weekend with the Giants and Ravens. The Viking in me wasn't feeling too bad to see the Packers become the 1st 1 and done team in a playoff after a 15 win season. It certainly brought back memories of the 1998 Vikings and 2004 Steelers. As Sundays game wore on you could just sense that the Pack was never in sync. The Giants and Eli Manning kept me thinking back to 2007 and their Super Bowl run.

This is where the script ends. Defenses win championships and blood is thicker than water. If there is such a thing as destiny-despite what the stats, facts, and numbers convey-I most definitely look forward to a HAR-Bowl. Brothers Harbaugh Baltimore and San Francisco. Two beautiful port cities. One known for the wine and cheese. The other for the oysters and other seafood delicacies. 

While I have little confidence in what Joe Flacco can do in crunch time, I am pretty sure the Ravens will not see the pass rush of the Texans next week in Massacusetts. I foresee 30 carries for Ray Rice, a game of keepaway, and maybe a stellar afternoon for Ed Reed while Ray Lewis leads a furious pass rush to throw Tom Brady off his game of going to Gronk and Dez aka 'The Boston TE Party'.

The Giants have never lost a championship game. A perfect 4-0. On what will probably be a muddy track by the bay I foresee a blood bath where Alex Smith and Vernon Davis outlast New York. Sorry Giants fans for I have enjoyed your emergence since mid December. 

On the road for the Mavericks beginning with a 4 day layover in Los Angeles. I hope staples don't hurt or cause blood to flow.

Make it a great day!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will